As first time visitors to Thailand, where in Bangkok would you recommend staying. We're not big on "night life," but relatively easy access to the major tourist sites would be nice. And any favorite hotels (quiet is good) budget probably around $200/night. thanks

For easy access to the major sights, I would go for somewhere by the River. $200 pn should get you aroom at the Shangri La or similar. Anantara Riverside is excellent. You can get to the Grand Palace, Wat P.O., Chinatown easily by riverboat and the Skytrain is easily accessed at Saphin Taksin.

I like the Muse Bangkok Langusan. A little out of the way but not by much. $200 should get you one of their club rooms which are amazing!

Muse Bangkok, Of course. Wins hands down any day.I second it.Loved the roof top bar.

http://hotelmusebangkok.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...s-Bangkok.html

It's within your budget, right at Rajadamri BTS (skytrain) station (S1), one stop from Siam station in one direction with transfer to Sukhumvit line (E1-E6 stops), 5 stops from Saphan Taksin BTS (S6) in the other direction (location of river taxi) , located on a quiet street and with a supermarket, plenty of places to eat within walking distance, walking distance to Central World, heart of shopping area, a short walk to Lumpini Park (10-15 minutes), and very easy skytrain access to other areas. Plus Rajadamri BTS station is a very quiet and a not-so-busy station. The station is connected to the St. Regis Hotel.

The above area has been one of my main neighborhoods, along with Sukhumvit (W5) and for 19 years although I have also stayed at 4 different hotels along the river (Peninsula, Royal Orchard Sheraton, Oriental, and Shangri-La), the old Intercontinental Hotel at Siam BTS (now Paragon Mall), and I’ve also stayed in the Ploenchit area of Sukhumvit.

Below is the BTS (skytrain) map.

http://www.bangkok-maps.com/bts.htm

Happy Travels!

I forgot to add, that if you stay in the Rajadamri area, and want to go up to Chatuchat weekend market, then you only need to go to Rajadamri BTS station and then go one stop (to Siam station) and then transfer to the north line and go to N8 and you’re there. As far as I’m concerned, staying near a skytrain station is priceless and usually faster than taxis and boats unless you have to take a boat.

http://www.chatuchakmarket.org

Forgot my signature.... Happy Travels! LOL!

Definitely avoid Khaosan Road then! Popular nightlife tourist spot with many places to stay, but all charge a premium for being so close to the party.

Speaking of tourists sites, don't forget the Jim Thompson House. It's one sky train stop from Siam BTS station. You get off at National Stadium (W1) and then it's a short walk.

http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com

Happy Travels!

Thanks everyone, it hadn't occurred to me to think about the BTS stations but that makes tons of sense. and yes, Jim Thompson house is on my list. Any other must sees?

<<<Definitely avoid Khaosan Road then! Popular nightlife tourist spot with many places to stay, but all charge a premium for being so close to the party.>>>

You can say a 5 minutes walk away from Khao San and not be charged any sort of premium, eg. on Phra Athit at either the New Siam Riverside or Navalai River Resort. Both are good value, both are right by the River, and both are by Pier 13 for the Orange Flag public ferry which get you to th

Oops, last post incomplete....

...will get you to Central Pier for the BTS in 20 minutes.

Phra Athit is part of Old Bangkok.

"lauramsgarden on Sep 26, 17 at 5:55pm
Thanks everyone, it hadn't occurred to me to think about the BTS stations but that makes tons of sense. and yes, Jim Thompson house is on my list. Any other must sees?"

Being a few steps from a BTS station saves me a lot of transportation headaches. As for the Rajadamri BTS station and the Anantara Baan Rajaprasong, when one gets to Rajadamri BTS station, about a 5-minute walk if that, then that end of the station has an escalator leading up to the station area and also another escalator leading up to the tracks.

At the other end of the station, there are only steps as I'm used to staying one street over from the street that the Anantara Baan Rajaprasong is on and thus do the steps. On the upcoming trip, I'll still be staying in my neighborhood, but will do 2 of my 3 weeks at the Anantara Baan Rajaprasong and then 5 nights at the Anantara Siam Hotel (formerly Four Seasons Hotel). They have a really good buffet breakfast and also have Biscotti Italian restaurant which has excellent food and a really good lunch. I have stayed in that structure since it was the Regent-a Four Seasons Hotel, the actual Four Seasons Hotel, and now the Anantara Siam Hotel. It's a beautiful, low-rise hotel with a beautiful inner courtyard and restaurants with really good food. It's one street over from the Anantara Baan Rajaprasong.

http://siam-bangkok.anantara.com

When I'm in Bangkok, I like to do 2 weeks at either one or two condos and then hotel hop the 3rd week as I've stayed in a lot of hotels in Bangkok. I try to keep current on the hotels as friends always asks me where to stay while in Bangkok. It's too bad that the Dust Thani Hotel is closed for renovation now as I really liked its old-school, Thai look and it was right at the Silom BTS- skytrain station. Whenever it reopens, I'll have to do 1 or 2 nights there during my hotel-hopping week. Smiles.

Happy Travels!

my vote is for river locations too. my fav is anantara riverside---great pool and free boat to skytrain.

chatrium riverside is another..

avani, next to anantara is new.

Hi rhkkmk,

I just spotted your recent recommendation for a Bangkok hotel. You helped us plan a trip to Bangkok about 10 years ago and all of your recommendations were spot on. We had a great time and I thank you for that.

We will be in Bangkok for only three nights in April. Last time we stayed in the Peninsula but I really think the Anatara is beautiful and more traditional that some of the others. So once again...you have helped us out.

Has anyone tried the SO sofital - it is recommended by Fodors, and we do have sofital points

Wea re back in Bangkok in a month and our final nights will be spent in the Sofitel on Sukhumvit using Accor points. To be frank it was a toss up between the Sofitel and the SO Sofitel but the Sofitel won out on value as it offered an Exec Club room compared with a normal room at the SO plus, as Gold Card Members we are eligible for a free upgrade.

Another Accor property to spend your points on is the Muse Languasan. Their Yama exec rooms are fabulous